Film feeding mechanism with movable cartridge mounting means

ABSTRACT

In a simplified film feeding mechanism of the type including a drive member and a stripper finger for contacting the periphery of a roll of film or other strip material to separate the leading end thereof from the roll and to feed it into a threading channel of a motion picture projector or similar apparatus, means for mounting the film roll so that it may be moved into engagement with the drive member and stripper finger.

United States Patent Bundschuh p 51 June 27, 1972 s41 FILM FEEDING MECHANISM WITH 56 References Cited MOVABLE CARTRIDGE MOUNTING UNITED STATES PATENTS MEANS 3,550,879 12/1970 Bundschuh et al. ..242/192 3,161,361 12/1964 lida [72] Inventor: John L Bundschuh Pent-km 3,252,668 5/1966 M1ller et al. ..242/ 192 [73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian NX, Attorney-Robert W. Hampton and Milton S. Sales 221 Filed: s 2a, 1910 ABSTRACT P1 76,080 In a simplified film feeding mechanism of the type including a drive member and a stripper finger for contacting the v periphery of a roll of film or other strip material to separate [52] u.s.c1. ..242/192, 242/205 the leading end thereof from the roll and to feed it into a l 5 n 035 04, G] n, 15 32 threading channel of a motion picture projector or similar ap- Field of Search ..242/ l 86, 192, 197-200,

242/205; 352/72, 78 R, 158, 157; 274/4 B, 4 F, 11

paratus, means for mounting the film roll so that it may be moved into engagement with the drive member and stripper finger.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATEMTEDJUE: 27 I372 SHEET 1 or 3 JOHN J. .BUNDSCHUH INVENTOR.

A 4 BY y M WM ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJur-m m2 3.672.601

SHEET 2 BF 3 JOHN J. BUNDSCHUH INVENTOR.

A TTORNE YS PATEETEDJMY [3?2 3, 672,601

SHEET 3 [IF 3 JOHN J. BUNDSCHUH INVENTOR.

AT TORNE YS FILM FEEDING MECHANISM WITH MOVABLE CARTRIDGE MOUNTING MEANS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is hereby made to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. applications Ser. No. 643,503 entitled CARTRIDGE FOR REEL OF STRIP MATERIAL," filed in thenames of John J. Bundschuh and Kenneth W. Thomson on June 5, 1967 now U.S. Pat No. 3,536,276; Ser. No. 643,502 entitled CINE- MATOGRAPI-IIC CARTRIDGE PROJECTOR AP- PARATUS," filed in the names of John J .Bundschuh, Robert J. Roman and Kenneth W. Thomson on June 5, 1967 now U.S. Pat No. 3,550,879; Ser. No. 685,616 entitled CINEMATO- GRAPHIC PROJECTORS OR THE LIKE AND CAR- TRIDGES FOR USE THEREWITH," filed in the names of John -J. Bundschuh andRobert J. Roman on Nov. 24, 1967 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,683; Ser. No. 731,562 entitled CARTRIDGE AND MEANS FOR LOCATING A CAR- TRIDGE ON A PROJECTOR OR THE LIKE" filed in the name of John J. Bundschuh on May 23, 1968 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,373; Ser. No. 736,524 entitled CARTRIDGE" filed in the name of John J. Bundschuh on May 23, 1968; Ser. No. 772,165 entitled SELF-THREADING MOTION PIC- TURE PROJECTOR OR THE LIKE"'fiIed in the name of Robert J. ,Roman on Oct. 31, 1968 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,943; and Ser. No. 776,083 entitled MANUALLY OPERATED FILM STRIPPER MECHANISM, filed in the name of Robert J. Roman on Nov. 15, I968 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,881.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND FEEDING STRIP MATERIAL FROM A ROLL," in the name of Edward S. McKee andisfurther disclosed in conjunction with a film cartridge particularly adapted for use therewith in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 643,503, entitled CARTRIDGE FOR REEL OF STRIP MATERIAL, filecl in the names. of John J. Bundschuh and Kenneth W. Thomson on June 5, 1967. This type of mechanism includes a drive member comprising a longitudinally traveling endless belt or other drive means which is movable into peripheral contact with a roll of film or other strip material wound onto a rotatably supported supply reel, to thereby impart unwinding rotation to that roll. Additionally, a stripper finger is movable into engagement with the periphery of the roll to separate the leading end: of the strip material therefrom and to guide it along a predetermined threading path established in part between the stripper finger and the drive member.

Motion picture projectors and related devices incorporating various embodiments of the above-described mechanism and different means. for automatically effecting properly timed coordinationof the movements of the drive member and stripper finger by power operated means are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 643,502, entitled CINEMATOGRAPHIC CARTRIDGE PROJECTOR APPARATUS, filed in the names of John J. Bundschuh, Robert J. Roman and Kenneth W. Thomson on June 5, I967 Another embodiment of the same type of film feeding mechanism is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 772,165, entitled "SELF-THREADING MO- TION PICTURE PROJECTOR OR THE LIKE," filed in the name of Robert J. Roman on Oct. 31 1968 which is directed to a simplified manually operated control system for effecting the movement of the stripper finger and drive member into and out of engagement with the roll in proper coordination with the operation of other elements of the projector or related machine.

Yet another embodiment of mechanisms of this type is dis closed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 776,083, entitled MANUALLY OPERATED FILM STRIPPER MECHANISM," filed in the name of Robert J. Roman on Nov. 15, I968. Thatapplication discloses a simplified film feeding mechanism in which 'all motive power required to operate the mechanism is derived from manual actuation of an operating member.

In each of these various embodiments, the stripping function is accomplished by movement of the drive member and stripper finger from positions spaced from the film roll to positions in which they engage the film roll. Relatively complicated mechanisms must be provided to effect simultaneous and properly oriented movement of the mechanism parts while also providing a guide for the film from the roll to the threading path of the projector. Although such mechanism performs very satisfactorily, its relatively high cost may reduce its utilization in lower priced projectors or other apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The. present invention is directed .to providing a simplified and relatively inexpensive apparatus which automatically adjusts and coordinates the operations of the projector during the threading mode.

Briefly, in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a motion picture projector having means for movably supporting .a roll of strip material having a leading end is provided with a film feeding mechanism positioned such that the film roll may be moved into and out of engagement with the mechanism. The film feeding mechanism, when in en gagement with the roll, is operative to drive the roll in an unwinding direction and to lift the; leading end of the. strip material from the roll. The mechanism has portions which form a guide for directing the leading end of the strip material more apparent in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is made to the acand in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application Ser. No.

685,616, entitled CINEMATOGRAPI-IIC PROJECTORS OR THE LIKE AND CARTRIDGES FOR USE THEREWITH, filed in the names-of John J. Bundschuh and Robert J. Roman on Nov. 24, I967.

companying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a portion of a cartridge loaded self-threading motion picture projector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a film cartridge and reel mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similarto FIG. 1 showing a cartridge having a relatively large diameter roll of film depressed to its thread position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing a cartridge having a relatively small diameter roll of film depressed to its thread" position;

FIG. 5 is a view of the film stripping mechanism of the projector shown in FIG. I in its position assumed during project mode; and

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the projector shown in FIG. I illustrating the spindle drive mechanism.

7 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Because projectors are well known, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It is to be understood that projector elements notspecifically shown or described may take various forms well known to those skilled in the art.

By reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that only a small portion of a motion picture projector has been shown. Projectors of the type for which the present invention is most suitable are depicted and described in the aboveidentified commonly assigned U.S. Pat. applications Ser. Nos. 685,616, 772,165 and 776,083. A projector frame plate 10, which may be oriented eithervertically, horizontally or at an inclined angle during projection, supports various operative projector components. Plate 10 is provided with four pins l2, 14, 16 and l8 which project outwardly and with a slot 20. A splined, reel drive spindle 22 (which comprises part of a roll supporting means) projects through slot to receive a film supply reel 24 located within a film cartridge 26. The cartridge is releasably mounted on a movable support plate 28. Plate 28 may be provided with means such as slots for receiving mating structure such as ribs on the cartridge to locate and securely mount the cartridge.

Film supply cartridge 26, per se, is further depicted and described in the above-identified commonly assigned U.S. Pat. applications Ser. Nos. 643,502; 643,503; 731,562 and 736,524. As shown respectively at 30 and 32, the cartridge includes a base member and a cover member which are attached to each other to define a generally cylindrical internal chamber adapted to accommodate film supply reel 24 carrying a roll of film 34 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The portion of the cartridge body member opposite the cover member extends outvvardly to define flat support surfaces 36 at opposite sides of a semicircumferential slot 38 which provides access to the film wound onto supply reel 24 within cartridge 26. The cartridge is adapted to be positioned on support plate 28 by the reception of the cartridge in a releasable latching mechanism including a pair of tabs 40 and 42 which are receivable in mating recesses in the cartridge and a spring catch 44 at the top of the cartridge. Support plate 28 has a, pair of slots 46 and 48 through which pins l2, l4, l6 and 18 project so that support plate 28 is vertically movable with respect to plate 10, support plate 28 carrying cartridge 26 therewith. Support plate 28 and pin-in-slot arrangement including slots 46 and 48 and pins 12, l4, l6 and 18 comprise a portion of the means for mounting roll 34 for movement between a first position spaced from the stripping mechanism described below and a second position contacting the stripping mechanism.

The film feeding mechanism of the present invention comprises a film driving belt member 50 and a stripper finger 52. Belt member 50 includes an endless elastic drive belt 54 of circular cross-section surrounding three pulleys (not shown) which are supported in coplanar relation to one another between a pair of side plates on shafts 56-58. One of the shafts is powered by means not shown to drive belt 54 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. Stripper finger 52 is pivotally attached at 60 to plate 10 and is biased in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 62.

A cartridge follower lever 64 is pivotally mounted at 66 and is biased for movement in a counterclockwise direction by a spring 68 until it abuts a stop or peg 70 on plate 10. Cartridge follower lever 64 is aligned with the rear support surface 36 of a received cartridge 26 and is out of the plane of finger 52. A finger positioning lever 72 is also mounted for rotation about pivot 66. Lever 72 is biased for clockwise rotation relative to cartridge follower lever 64 by a spring 74 that has end portions engaging flanges on levers 64 and 72. Such relative motion is limited by contact between lever 72 and a tab 76 which projects from follower lever 64. A lip 78 on positioning lever 72 contacts a surface 80 on finger 52. The spring constants of springs 62 and'74 are such that upon clockwise rotational movement of follower lever 64, positioning lever 72 will remain against tab 76 and will rotate finger 52 in a clockwise direction against the force of spring 62. When positioning lever 72 reaches a lug 82 on plate 10, it will no longer rotate, whereby additional downward movement of cartridge '26 together with clockwise rotation of follower lever 64 will not impart movement to finger 52.

With reference to FIG. 6, l have shown a rear view of a mechanism for driving spindle 22 for rewind, to tighten the roll prior to stripping for tendency drive, etc. The spindle is shown in solid lines in its normal raised position, being constantly biased towards that position by a spring 88. Spindle 22 projects through plate 10 and is rotatably carried by an end portion of arm 90. Ann 90 is pivotally attached at its opposite end portion to a second arm 92 which is rotatably mounted on plate 10. Power to drive spindle 22 is transmitted from a motor, not shown, by a drive shaft 94, a pulley 96 on shaft 94, a drive belt 98, a pulley 100, a drive belt 102, a pulley 104 and a final drive belt 106. Depression of cartridge 26 and support plate 28 moves spindle 22 downwardly towards the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 6. It can be seen that arms 90 and 92 move accordingly towards the broken line positions in which they are shown in FIG. 6. 1

To remove the leading end of the strip material from roll 34, cartridge 26 and support plate 28 are manually depressed until the rear support surface 36 of the cartridge engages cartridge follower lever 64. Additional downward movement of the cartridge and support plate causes follower lever 64 and positioning lever 72 to rotate in a clockwise direction about pivot 66. Contact between lip 78 and surface of finger 52 causes finger 52 to rotate about pivot 60. j

With reference to FIG. 3, rotational movement of positioning lever 72 by downward movement of cartridge 26 ceases when lever 72 contacts lug 82. At this time, film driving belt member 50 and the tip end 84 of finger 52 are within cartridge slot 38 and may or may not be in contact with the film roll depending upon the size of the roll on the reel. Additional downward movement of cartridge 26 allows the pointed tip end 84 of finger 52 to engage the film roll, and the surface 80 can separate from lip 78 in response to force exerted by the roll on finger 52 so that the final position of finger 52 is established by contact with the film on reel 24. Downward movement of the film roll .is limited by contact between the roll and belt 54. Upon engagement of film roll 34 with belt 54, the counterclockwise movement of the belt imparts clockwise rotation to the film roll and the reel on which it is wound; causing the leading end of the film to be separated from the roll by finger tip end 84 and to emerge from the cartridge between finger 52 and the adjacent straight portion of belt 54.

If the film roll is smaller than that depicted in FIG. 3, as represented in FIG. 4, downward movement of cartridge 26 is simply continued until the film roll contactsthe drive belt.

Such additional movement of the cartridge will not affect the relative position between finger 52 and film driving belt member 50 at the time they are contacted by the roll because finger positioning lever 72 cannot move past lug 82. Toward the lower end of the portion of the film path defined between the drive belt and the finger, the leading end of the film enters a guide member 86 which leads the film to the rest of the projector threading channel or path.

After the film has been advanced by belt 54 to a position in which the projector film advance mechanism takes over, cartridge 26 may be released and is returned to the position shown in FIG. 1 by spring 88. At that time, the springs 62, 68 and 74 return finger 52 and levers 64 and 72 to their normal positions. During projection, film will wrap around a projection 87 and be pulled past finger 52 and film driving belt member 50 by the projector apparatus without touching either of these devices. The relative positions of the finger, belt member and film during normal project mode of the apparatus is shown in FIG. 5.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim: 1. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with a roll of strip material to separate the leading end of such material from the roll and to conduct the leading end away from the roll, said apparatus comprising:

means for rotatably supporting such a roll of strip material; a stripping mechanism including means when contacted by the roll for separating the leading end of the strip material from the roll and for conducting the leading end away from the roll; and

means for mounting said roll supporting means formovement between a first position wherein the roll is spaced radially from said stripping mechanism and a second positibn wherein the roll is contacting said stripping mechanism to effect separation of the leading end from the roll and conduction of the leading end away from the roll. 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said means for mounting said roll supporting means includes a first plate; and

said roll supporting means includes a second plate having means thereon for rotatably holding a roll, said second plate being mounted on said first plate for translation movement to carry the roll between its first and second positions.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said roll supporting means further includes a spindle rotatably extending through said first and second plates, said spindle being constrained to only rotational movement relative to said" second plate and to rotational and translational movement relative to said first plate.

4. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with a roll of strip material to separate the leading end of such material from the roll and to conduct the leading end away from the roll, said apparatus comprising: I

a driving member having means for imparting rotational movement to such rolls of strip material while in peripheral engagement therewith such as to unwind strip material therefrom;

a stripper member for separating the leading end of the strip material from the'roll when said stripper member is contacted by the roll and the driving member imparts such rotational movement to the roll; and

means for rotatably supporting the roll for translational movement into and out of peripheral engagement with said driving member and into and out of contact with said stripper member to effect separation of the leading end of the strip material from the roll.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said driving member comprises:

a plurality of pulleys; and

a roll engaging element, said roll engaging element including an endless belt trained about said pulleys.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for supporting the roll comprises:

first and second parallel, relatively movable plates; and

a spindle rotatably extending through said plates, said spindle being constrained to only rotational movement relative to one of said plates and to rotational and translational movement relative to the other of said plates.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein:

said driving member includes l) a plurality of pulleys and (2) a roll engaging element including an endless belt trained around said pulleys; and

said stripper member includes a finger for engaging the periphery of the roll for separating the leading end from the roll. I 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second plates are connected by a pin-in-slot arrangement.

9. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with a roll of strip material to separate the leading end of such material from the roll and to conduct the leading end away from the roll, said apparatus comprising:

a driving member having means for imparting rotational movement to such rolls of strip material while in peripheral engagement therewith such as to unwind the strip material therefrom;

a stripper member for separating the leading end of the strip material from the roll when said stripper member is contacted by the roll and the driving member imparts such rotational movement to the roll, said stripper member being movable between a'first position spaced from said driving member to define therewith a relatively wide channel and a second position closely adjacent said driving member to define a relatively narrow threading path;

means for rotatably supporting the roll for translational movement into and out of peripheral engagement with said driving member and into and out of contact with said stripper member; and

means for moving said stripper member from its first to its second position in response to such translational movement of the roll.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for moving said stripper member includes:

means for moving said stripper member toward its second position during only initial translational movement of the roll; and

means for permitting additional translational movement of the roll without further moving said stripper member.

11. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with a roll of strip material rotatably carried in a cartridge to separate the leading end of such material from the roll and to conduct the leading end away from the roll, said apparatus comprising:

a driving member having means for imparting rotational movement to such rolls of strip material while in peripheral engagement therewith such as to unwind strip material therefrom;

a stripper member for separating the leading end of the strip material from the roll when said stripper member is contacted by the roll and the driving member imparts rotational movement to the roll, said stripper member being movable from a first position spaced widely from said driving member to a second position closely adjacent said driving member to define with said driving member a threading path for the strip material;

means for supporting the cartridge for translational movement of the roll therein into and out of peripheral engagement with said driving member and into and out of contact with said stripper member; and

means responsive to such translational movement of the cartridge for moving said stripper member from its first toward its second position.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said last mentioned means comprises:

a first lever positioned in the path of movement of the cartridge during such translational movement of the roll for movement therewith;

a second lever movable with said first leverduring a first portion of the movement of said first lever for moving said stripper member from its first to its second position; and y means preventing additional movement of said second lever during subsequent movement of said first lever.

II! i 

1. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with a roll of strip material to separate the leading end of such material from the roll and to conduct the leading end away from the roll, said apparatus comprising: means for rotatably supporting such a roll of strip material; a stripping mechanism including means when contacted by the roll for separating the leading end of the strip material from the roll and for conducting the leading end away from the roll; and means for mounting said roll supporting means for movement between a first position wherein the roll is spaced radially from said stripping mechanism and a second position wherein the roll is contacting said stripping mechanism to effect separation of the leading end from the roll and conduction of the leading end away from the roll.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said means for mounting said roll supporting means includes a first plate; and said roll supporting means includes a second plate having means thereon for rotatably holding a roll, said second plate being mounted on said first plate for translation movement to carry the roll between its first and second positions.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said roll supporting means further includes a spindle rotatably extending through said first and second plates, said spindle being constrained to only rotational movement relative to said second plate and to rotational and translational movement relative to said first plate.
 4. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with a roll of strip material to separate the leading end of such material from the roll and to conduct the leading end away from the roll, said apparatus comprising: a driving member having means for imparting rotational movement to such rolls of strip material while in peripheral engagement therewith such as to unwind strip material therefrom; a stripper member for separating the leading end of the strip material from the roll when said stripper member is contacted by the roll and the driving member imparts such rotational movement to the roll; and means for rotatably supporting the roll for translational movement into and out of peripheral engagement with said driving member and into and out of contact with said stripper member to effect separation of the leading end of the strip material from the roll.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said driving member comprises: a plurality of pulleys; and a roll engaging element, said roll engaging element including an endless belt trained about said pulleys.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for supporting the roll comprises: first and second parallel, relatively movable plates; and a spindle rotatably extending through said plates, said spindle being constrained to only rotational movement relative to one of said plates and to rotational and translational movement relative to the other of said plates.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein: said driving member includes (1) a plurality of pulleys and (2) a roll engaging element including an endless belt trained around said pulleys; and said stripper member includes a finger for engaging the periphery of the roll for separating the leading end from the roll.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second plates are connected by a pin-in-slot arrangement.
 9. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with a roll of strip material to separate the leading end of such material from the roll and to conduct the leading end away from the roll, said apparatus comprising: a driving member having means for imparting rotational movement to such rolls of strip material while in peripheral engagement therewith such as to unwind the strip material therefrom; a stripper member for separating the leading end of the strip material from the roll when said stripper member is contacted by the roll and the driving member imparts such rotational movement to the roll, said stripper member being movable between a first position spaced from said driving member to define therewith a relatively wide channel and a second position closely adjacent said driving member to define a relatively narrow threading path; means for rotatably supporting the roll for translational movement into and out of peripheral engagement with said driving member and into and out of contact with said stripper member; and means for moving said stripper member from its first to its second position in response to such translational movement of the roll.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for moving said stripper member includes: means for moving said stripper member toward its second position during only initial translational movement of the roll; and means for permitting additional translational movement of the roll without further moving said stripper member.
 11. Apparatus adapted to cooperate with a roll of strip material rotatably carried in a cartridge to separate the leading end of such material from the roll and to conduct the leading end away from the roll, said apparatus comprising: a driving member having means for imparting rotational movement to such rolls of strip material while in peripheral engagement therewith such as to unwind strip material therefrom; a stripper member for separating the leading end of the strip material from the roll when said stripper member is contacted by the roll and the driving member imparts rotational movement to the roll, said stripper member being movable from a first position spaced widely from said driving member to a second position closely adjacent said driving member to define with said driving member a threading path for the strip material; means for supporting the cartridge for translational movement of the roll therein into and out of peripheral engagement with said driving member and into and out of contact with said stripper member; and means responsive to such translational movement of the cartridge for moving said stripper member from its first toward its second position.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said last mentioned means comprises: a first lever positioned in the path of movement of the cartridge during such translational movement of the roll for movement therewith; a second lever movable with said first lever during a first portiOn of the movement of said first lever for moving said stripper member from its first to its second position; and means preventing additional movement of said second lever during subsequent movement of said first lever. 